Welcome to Shadow Creek, the paranormal sanctuary magically protected in Upstate New York. This is the place any and all paranormals can and do turn to when danger hunts them and they have no other place to go. Owned and run by Raul Carney, wolf shifter and alpha, the doors are open to those in need with the guarantee of protection.

With so many paranormals on the property, it’s only a matter of time before residents start crossing paths with their mates. With the promise of a happy future comes the threat of destruction.

Because, even at the Creek, danger stalks the night and will stop at nothing to destroy every paranormal in their reach.

**Erotic romance series**

Secrets in Shadows

Wolf shifter Rex Vanderbilt has lived a life of luxury and privilege. That changes one fateful night following an attack by hunters that nearly kills him and his family. They seek refuge and protection at the private paranormal sanctuary, Shadow Creek. Rex discovers how little he understands his wolf’s blood after the strangest out-of-body experience in the presence of one particular shifter.

Devon Michaels is a great horned owl shifter and part of the Creek’s top circle of guards. He prefers solitude after a betrayal that nearly cost him his life. When Rex arrives on the manor’s doorstep, he instantly recognizes the rowdy wolf as his mate. He has no interest in the irresponsible, spoiled man, but Rex has other plans to win Devon’s affections.

When the Creek’s borders are breached by hunters and Rex is injured, Devon must make a decision. With the promise of another attack looming, time is running out. Can he let go of the past to protect his mate?

“Did any of the humans survive?” Raul pressed. He was too fucking calm lounging against his door. Rex bit the insides of his cheeks.

Hard.

“Yes. I detected seven attacked. Three got away.”

Big boss man didn’t seem pleased by that news. He rubbed his chin with his hand, the reflective lenses of his eyes flashing in the dark. “What did you do with the bodies?”

“Burned them. We destroyed the house.”

“You’re aware we try not to harm humans, hunters or not. Death raises too many questions among the mortals.” Another growl vibrated through the immediate area. “And I’m certain we’ll be seeing more of them once they go back to their parties.”

“I’m aware, sir, but we were left with no choice.”

Another long, tenuous moment drifted by on the night’s dead air. Rex was restless. He wanted to move, shift, run. He needed to burn off this excess adrenaline. Tire out the sudden tingle that unfurled along his spine.

He needed to get away from the testosterone war. It was turning him on.

Harris had warned him on numerous occasions to get his libido in check. Rex never cared to listen. Still didn’t. He just hoped his dick didn’t rise too much under these particular circumstances.

“Vuk, bring them upstairs,” Raul finally said. The anvil of tension slowly crushing them lifted. If Rex didn’t know better, he’d swear he heard a collective sigh from his father and brother. “Make sure they have anything they need to wash up and settle in for the remainder of the night. Harris, I would appreciate a few words with you in my study.”

Rex was mindful to keep his head lowered as he followed up the rear. He glanced at Raul’s bare feet—talk about a hanger there, if rumor held any credence to foot size versus dick size—and quickly looked away.

A hand came down on his shoulder and he stiffened.

“A wolf in his prime best be careful within these walls. I will not stand for complaints from the others,” Raul groused. Whatever the man did to make his voice sound half animal, half murderous threat, Rex wanted the secret. It scared the shit out of him. Raul had the reputation he did for a reason. He was no-nonsense. The safety of the residents at Shadow Creek took precedence over anything. He ran this private ranch under strict rule, but the camaraderie Rex had heard was something to envy. Something he never had in his family.

Beneath the hard alpha shell rested a huge heart. That was the reason paranormal creatures of all races flocked to Shadow Creek when they were tailed. Raul took everyone in.

No man stood alone in this world gone rogue.

Raul’s fingers squeezed, then flexed, his hand lifting off his shoulder.

“You’ll have nothing to worry about, sir. I promise,” Rex said. That tingling in his spine slithered up the canal of his vertebrae, mocking his words. What was it about this house, or these men, that prodded the wild and insatiable beast within him?

Why the hell did he feel like he was standing outside his own body, staring at a cloak-covered creature trying to blend into the dark foyer?

Bud, you’re fucking exhausted. A fuck, a fight, and now, a fugitive.

* * * *

Devon Michaels remained in the shadows of the empty sitting parlor, hovering close to the heavy brocade curtains. He shook his head against the disarray of thoughts that plagued him, thoughts that were far from his own organized and concise process of thinking.

His heart ramped up in speed. For a brief moment, he swore this strange pack could hear the violent thudding within his ribcage. Forget that his stomach was growling up a storm.

Instinctively, Devon stepped back, edging behind the curtain to hide the majority of his frame. When he inhaled, the potent scent of the outdoors assaulted him.

…fucking exhausted…a fugitive…

One of the pack members paused at the base of the massive staircase, twisted around, and scanned the dark parlor with fire-amber eyes.

The strangest sensation overcame Devon the moment those eyes found him and pinned him like a delicious morsel in the presence of a starved predator. The softest of ripples ran along his mind, merging with alien thoughts and curiosities.

…staring at me…not for the big Alpha, I’d chance an introduction…tired, man…

The casual, unnatural thoughts made Devon dizzy. He swayed and squeezed his eyes closed, fear welling from the dark solitude in the pit of his spirit. The owl within him squawked. The high-pitched recognition resonated along an unseen and unknown current that did not dissipate as the stranger reluctantly followed his pack up the stairs.

Devon cussed silently, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. When he looked up, he found himself staring at Raul’s stubborn chin.

“Do you need to fly?” Raul asked, his voice a deep, reverberating sound that always held a hint of his wolf’s growling undertone.

“I would like to, actually.” Devon needed a few minutes of cool air to sort out what had just happened.

You know what happened.

The notion made his stomach cinch. He wasn’t so sure taking flight to clear his head would help him in facing the inevitable.

“Devon, is all well? You look a little…green,” Raul said, lowering his voice to a husky whisper. Those startling blue eyes darkened, narrowing on him with a mixture of skepticism and concern.

Devon moistened his dry lips with an equally dry tongue. The chaotic beating against his sternum left him weak.

“I’m well. A little hungry.” He gave his arms a slight shake and grinned. “More antsy though.”

Raul twisted enough to catch the last member of the straggling pack disappear up the immense staircase.

“Something about that pack not sitting right with you?”

Yeah, you can say that.

Devon rubbed his chin, trying to hide the slight tremor that touched his fingertips. “They appear harmless to the sanctuary and the residents.”

Raul turned back to him, his eyes still narrow. “Do me a favor, Dev. Keep an eye on that one guy. Think he might be a handful, coming into his prime and all.”

Oh, fuck me now.

He kept his face about him. “You got it.”

Raul clapped his shoulder, his fingertips giving the thick muscle a tight squeeze. “Go get some air time. Vuk and I’ve got things under control on the home front.”

“Thank you.”

Devon watched the alpha wolf, and the owner of Shadow Creek, disappear through an adjoining doorway. The moment he was alone, his shoulders slumped and a scowl curled his lips. His gaze instinctively lifted to the empty stairwell, but his nostrils retained the hormone-stoking scent he had hoped would fade.